ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, US OFFICIALS DISCUSS KARABAKH, ARMENIAN-TURKISH TIES

Mediamax news agency
16 Mar 06

Yerevan, 16 March: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received
US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel
Fried and US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann in
Yerevan today.

The sides discussed issues of ensuring the energy security of the
region and Armenia, the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry
told Mediamax. In this context, it was noted that the settlement of
conflicts in the South Caucasus will make it possible to fully use
the possibilities of the region in the future.

Vardan Oskanyan, Daniel Fried and Steven Mann discussed the Nagornyy
Karabakh peace process, exchanged opinions on possible steps towards
continuation of the [peace] talks within the framework of the Prague
process.

The sides also discussed Armenian-Turkish relations. In particular,
they touched upon issues of opening the borders and using
communications routes.

Strengthening democracy in Armenia was also discussed at the meeting.